The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-11-26
THE NEW pHoNooRApH.
what Mr.. Edison claims for His Recon.
structed "Taiking Machine"

what Mr.. Edison claims for His Recon. |
structed "Taiking Machine"
The statement that Mr.. Edison mas
perfected his phonosraph and given it
practical value is not so startling as tho
invention itself was when originally
produced, some ten years since. With
telephones, electric lights and electric
railways, we are becoming accustomed
to departures from tradition, and new
invention must be very remarkable in-
deed to excite any more than momcn-
tary surprise. We are not quite sure
that the public would be much stirred
from its customary equanimity IL the
Keely motor were shown to working
practicability, though this, we confess,
would be pretty strong test of the
theory suggested.
But whether startling or not, tho
prospect of working phonograph is
very pleasing one. Every body will re-
member what hopes of usefulness were
built upon the invention when first
brought out, and how those hopes were
crushed when the inventor announced
as toy. Now the inventor assures the
world that in its improved form the
'toy" will do all that was once hoped
from it and much more. The man of
business will no longer need stcnog-
rapher or typewriter, but will be ablo
to dictate directly to his phonograph
! sending the impressions therein pro-
duced to his distant correspondent, who
will reproduce them in his own instru-
ment. Copy" Tor the printer will be
prepared in the same way. The testi-
mony of witnesses will he so perpetu-
ated that on subsequent trials or hear
ings it can not only be reproduced with
absolute accuracy in its minutest de-
tails, but with all those individual
characteristics of hesitancy. firmness,
etc., which count for so much in esti-
mating the value of testimony.
Music is to be the stronghold of the
reconstructed phonograph as it was of
the TOY" Not only will it reproduce
the human voice in its melodic or har-
monic efforts, but instrumental music
of every kind. 1t will go so far, indeed,
as to reproduce orchestral effects in
such a manner that the critical ear can
detect all the different instruments as
readily rs in listening to the orchestr;,
itself. 1t is said, moreover that one
who is an adept in such matters can
tell from the photographic reproduce
ton what make of piano was used in
the orchestra. And rs the photographic
sheets can be duplicated rapidly and
cheaply it will cost the owner OF pho
nograph practically nothing to hear
opera, operate concerts, or the playing
of the great violinist or pianists. Tho
effect may be bad on the opera houses
but the public at large will be greatly
benefited and profitcd.
Naturally there will be as soon n.
the new phonograph comes on the
market revival of the flood of comic
suggestions with which the invention
was originally greeted. We shall bt
told how useful the jealous husband OF
, wife can make it and now valuable i
will prove in breach of promise cases
where the reproduction of tones is al
most as desirable rs of words. But thu
inventor can stand a good deal of th
, sort of fun-chestnutty though it Isl
, his invention is what he now declare
it to be.-Detr0it Free Press.